CHAPTER XVI. 



GEOGRAPHICAL PROGRESS OF KNOWLEDGE. 



Leaving now the physical diversity of the human family, and re- 

 curring to the order of the voyage of the Expedition : in proceeding 

 always west, the American tribes first engaged our attention, and next, 

 the widely scattered Polynesians. 



Among the latter people, it soon became evident, that their customs, 

 arts, and attainments, were not of independent growth. And further, 

 that the supposition of the Polynesians being the descendants, the 

 scattered remnants of a highly civilized people now relapsed into 

 barbarism, did not altogether meet the case. 



The East Indies, being regarded by general consent as the place 

 of origin of the Polynesians, it was natural to seek there for some cor- 

 responding tribe; for something analogous to the relation among Eu- 

 ropean nations, of England to the United States. But on the contrary, 

 surprise arose at the want of resemblance ; and the term, " Malay 

 origin," if used in a national sense, was discovered to be incorrect. 



So, in looking to Asia, to China, Japan, or the neighbouring coun- 

 tries, for some tribe corresponding with the aboriginal Americans ; 

 we shall equally find ourselves at fault. For the remote environs of 

 Bhering Straits, do not offer a fair exception. 



After being much perplexed for an explanation, it was only on 

 taking leave of the East Indies, that the following simple reflection 

 occurred to me : — If the human family has had a central origin, and 

 has gradually and regularly diffused itself, followed by the principal 

 inventions and discoveries; the history of man, would then be in- 

 scribed on the globe itself : and each new revolution obliterating more 

 or less of the preceding, his primitive condition should be found at the 



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